What Is the California Wild Flower?
The California poppy, botanically known as Eschscholzia californica, is the state flower. This bright orange wildflower is native to the west coast of North America. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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The California poppy is a short-lived perennial that grows in cold areas of North America as an annual. It has feathery blue-green foliage and a solitary, bright orange buttercup-like flower that is two- to three-inches wide, growing on a 12- to 18-inch stem. Flowers close on cold, overcast days and at night. If the flowers are pollinated by beetles or honeybees, the plant produces a long, skinny pod-like fruit that shoots tiny black seeds when dry.
History
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The California poppy is named after doctor-naturalist Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz, who visited San Francisco in 1816 during an expedition. Early Spanish settlers nicknamed the flower "copa del oro," which means "cup of gold" in Spanish. California American Indians used the poppy as a food and medicinal source.
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Growing Requirements
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California poppies require full sun, dry, sandy soil and excellent drainage. Because poppies have a deep taproot and don't transplant well, direct seeding in the garden is recommended when the weather is 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 1/4-inch deep and keep moist until flowering and then cut back on watering.
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References
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- Photo Credit california poppy image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
